‘Worst year’ for owner

Bisciotti reflects on Ravens’ 2014 season of arrests, turmoil.

Steve Bisciotti sums up 2014 simply as his “worst year” as owner of the Baltimore Ravens. The team was engulfed in off-thefield problems — most notably the arrest and subsequent release of running back Ray Rice.

Five Ravens were arrested in 2014, including Rice, who was charged with assault in February after punching his then-fiancee in an elevator. Rice was released after a video of the assault became public.

For Bisciotti, all of it overshadowed Baltimore going 10-6, winning a playoff game in Pittsburgh and nearly upsetting the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

“It was my worst year as an owner,” Bisciotti said Tuesday. “I had 14 good years and then I had an absolutely crappy year.”

Bisciotti and the Ravens came under fire for putting their support behind Rice until the video came out.

“We all agreed that we should support Ray Rice in February. And, we all agreed that morning that we couldn’t. I don’t regret either of those decisions,” Bisciotti said. Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti (center) backed GM Ozzie Newsome (left) and coach John Harbaugh through the Ray Rice scandal and four other arrests.

Giants: Released veteran defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka in a move that clears about $4.8 million of salary cap space.

The Giants now are projected to have nearly $23 million in cap space, with a big chunk likely ticketed for signing unrestricted defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to a longterm deal or placing the nearly $15 million franchise tag on him.

Panthers: Carolina informed Byron Bell, last season’s starting left tackle, that he will not be resigned, a person familiar with the situation said. Bell is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

He has started 56 games in the past four seasons for the Panthers, including 15 in 2014 in his first season at left tackle following the retirement of Jordan Gross. Prior to that, Bell had been the team’s starting right tackle.

Pro Football Focus ranked Bell the secondworst left tackle in the league last season, when he allowed 11 sacks.

Chargers: Linebacker Jarret Johnson is ending his NFL career after 12 seasons.

“Today I am announcing my retirement from the game I love,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “I lived a dream which few can say but it’s time to move on. I want to thank the Chargers organization for giving me a home these past three years.

Johnson, 33, is best known for his long run with the Ravens, where he started 95 games at multiple linebacker positions and won a Super Bowl.

Zack Kassian’s goal broke a tie in the third period, and Eddie Lack made 40 saves for Vancouver. ■ (At) Islanders 5, Coyotes 1: New York’s Matt Martin and Johnny Boychuk scored less than a minute apart early in the third period. ■ (At) Rangers 1, Flames 0: Kevin Hayes broke a scoreless tie three minutes into the third period, and Cam Talbot made 21 saves for New York. ■ (At) Hurricanes 4, Flyers 1: Justin Faulk had a goal and an assist for Carolina, and Cam Ward made 23 saves in his 500th career game. ■ Sabres 4, (at) Blue Jackets 2: Zemgus Girgensons had a goal and an assist for Buffalo. ■ Canadiens 5, (at) Blues 2: Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher had two goals apiece, and Carey Price set a franchise record with his ninth straight road win for Montreal. ■ (At) Predators 5, Avalanche 2: Roman Josi had a goal and an assist for Nashville. ■ Oilers 2, (at) Wild 1: Benoit Pouliot scored twice, and Ben Scrivens made 33 saves for Edmonton. ■ (At) Jets 4, Stars 2: Adam Lowry’s second-period goal put Winnipeg ahead for good. ■ (At) Blackhawks 3, Panthers 2 (SO): Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp scored in the shootout for Chicago. ■ Red Wings at Kings: Late NHL notes ■ Islanders: Defenseman Nick Leddy, 23, agreed to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract. ■ Blackhawks: Star forward Patrick Kane left Wednesday’s game against Florida with an upperbody injury. ■ Wild-Panthers trade: Minnesota acquired Florida forward Sean Bergenheim for a 2016 third-round draft choice.

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